Northampton toddler died after falling into lake at Billing Aquadrome

Mandy Munhuwa

A father whose two-year-old daughter died as a result of injuries sustained when she nearly drowned in a lake at Billing Aquadrome, in Northampton, has paid tribute to the waiter who got his child out of the water.

Mandifadza Buhle Munhuwa, known as Mandy, formerly of Friars Avenue, Far Cotton, fell into the lake at the holiday park during a day out with her father, Bothwell, on March 10 last year.

An inquest at Northampton General Hospital heard Mandy had spent time in the indoor soft play area and had then gone downstairs to a lounge area with her father.

Giving evidence, Mr Munhuwa said he was talking to a life-guard at the swimming pool about what children’s entertainment was on offer when he realised he could not see his daughter.

Mr Munhuwa said he then went to the soft play area and searched every room in the building to try to find his daughter.

Ben Nolan, a waiter in the cafe at Billing Aquadrome, went to the lake as part of the search for the toddler and saw her in the water.

In a statement read to the inquest, Mr Nolan said he swam out to where Mandy was and then brought her back to the shore.

A security guard at the holiday park then tried to resuscitate Mandy until the emergency services arrived and she was taken to Northampton General Hospital.

Mandy, who was Mr Munhuwa and his wife Mo’s only child, was later transferred to Leicester Royal Infirmary but, despite specialist treatment, she died on May 10, 2013.

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Munhuwa said: “I would like to pay tribute to Ben Nolan and all the emergency services and staff at Billing Aquadrome who tried to help Mandy. The loss of a child is something you don’t want any family to go through.”